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Bill O'Reilly Is Stalking Me
I'm not the first victim of O'Reilly's harassment machine—and I won't be the last. Why? I am an "insect" that needs to be squashed.
If you rely on Bill O’Reilly for your news, here is what you probably think of me: I am a “villain[ous]” member of a “well-financed” liberal “cabal” that includes NBC News and President Obama. My most recent crime is deliberately causing “pain and suffering” to rape victims. I am an “insect” that needs to be squashed.
Your first acquaintance with me would have been on Monday, March 23, when O’Reilly devoted a whole segment to my “evil.” The Fox News host noted that a few weeks earlier he had been asked to speak at a fundraiser by the Alexa Foundation, a charity created to support rape victims and their families following the brutal rape of Alexa Branchini. Here is what he said:
Elements at NBC News...encouraged the loons to protest the Alexa Foundation, causing Alexa and her family major grief. Perhaps the worst garbage came from the far left-group Center for American Progress, headed by John Podesta. A woman named Amanda Terkel led that charge.
I have caught myself constantly looking over my shoulder, being more cautious about where I go, and carefully monitoring the threatening emails I’ve been receiving from O’Reilly’s viewers.
Viewers then saw a clip of O’Reilly producer Jesse Watters asking me why I “attacked the foundation” and “brought a lot of pain and suffering to this group.” I replied, “I can't remember exactly what he had said, because it was a while ago. But I remember it was something having to do with that he had talked about a rape victim in a derogatory way that seemed to place the blame for the rape on the victim.” In the clip, I look confused and am unable to immediately answer Watters’ question about “the Mel Gibson component to Bill's analysis.”
What was missing from that segment was the truth behind the original controversy—and how O’Reilly obtained that interview with me. Here’s the whole story.
I’m the deputy research director at the Center for American Progress in Washington and write daily for its blog, ThinkProgress.org. On March 1, I wrote a post reporting that O’Reilly was slated to speak at a March 19 benefit for the Alexa Foundation. I noted that O’Reilly had made controversial comments in 2006 about Jennifer Moore, a woman who was raped and murdered. He implied that it was partially her fault, called her “moronic,” and added:
Now Moore, Jennifer Moore, 18, on her way to college. She was 5-foot-2, 105 pounds, wearing a miniskirt and a halter top with a bare midriff. Now, again, there you go. So every predator in the world is gonna pick that up at two in the morning. She’s walking by herself on the West Side Highway, and she gets picked up by a thug. All right. Now she’s out of her mind, drunk.
In my article, I never criticized the Alexa Foundation, nor did I ask readers to protest the organization, as he suggested in his March 23 broadcast.
My three-week-old post was the furthest thing from my mind on Saturday, March 21, when I was in Winchester, Va., for a short weekend getaway. My friend and I left my apartment building in Washington, D.C., around 1:30 p.m. We then drove two hours, quickly checked into our lodgings, and came back out for a short walk.
A few seconds later, two men began shouting my name and crossing the street toward me. One was carrying a large videocamera and the other was holding a microphone. My first thought was that I somehow knew them from somewhere, although I still couldn’t figure out how they knew where I was. I never told anyone where I was going that weekend, and the reservation was in my friend’s name. There was no way anyone could have known where I was.
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Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
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The Daily Beast is dedicated to news and commentary, culture, and entertainment. We carefully curate the web’s most essential stories and bring you original must-reads from our talented contributors.
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Amanda Terkel is Managing Editor of ThinkProgress.org and Deputy Research Director at the Center for American Progress Action Fund.
Hawnzz
Actions speak louder then words. Though with O'Reilly... there is enough garbage coming out of his mouth that it is impossible to ignore.
I hope the experience was a learning experience and that you have put it into perspective. I am also sorry that such a tactic would be used by anyone. There is no excuse for that...
You are correct, being raped and murdered has nothing to do if you've got a tight skirt on.
NorCalGladiator
the only pleasure i ever get of the big papa bill o'reilly is when he goes onto the daily show with john stewart. only there is he out of his own comfortability zone just like mrs. terkel was.
shamrok76
Whine, whine, whine....they put a camera and a mike on you. Now you're trying to promote yourself as a victim and your website in the process. What a steaming cynical pile of manure.
Foolesgold
Unfortunately for all of us, and the world at large, Uncle Bill does not have a single person in his congregation who is capable of reading the Daily Beast. I really wish he try to "street interview" me...
MamajuanaLV
I feel for you Ms. Terkel. Your life has changed and now you are fearful, all because of this buffoon O'Reilly and his goons. Truly tragic. Surely no thinking person with a conscience is still watching his show...
jeffzekas
Hi Amanda, Here's the problem: if you make comments in the public forum (i.e. the internet) then you become a "public figure"... which means ambush journalism, being taken out of context, and not being allowed equal time... you get the idea. This is why other countries (notably the UK) have stricter libel laws: it is too easy to make a fool out of someone, by stalking them, and doing the paparazzi attack. My suggestion: WHENEVER you leave your apartment, be prepared to answer questions... this means: mentally prepare yourself to be "interviewed", when you are out in public. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. Welcome to 21st Century America!
vintagejulie
It is amazing what a little pepper spray will do when one gets stalked over state lines and "ambushed" by Bill 'Os producer.
mealticket
Ahhhhh the drama. Everyones out to get me. that's ok though everybody knows the best way to get a little credibility is to go on Keith Olberman's show the next night.
MrsMurgatroyd
Jeffjulienorcalhawnz
Good answers . Especially be prepared whenever you go out.
Unfortunately the Bill O'Reillly's of the communication world are expanding daily and the sites are invasive and insulting.
Unless we get a stricter law about paparazzi and gossip stalkers this will not change.
Freedom of speech is absolutely necessary. Harrassment and verbal attacks are not covered by the constitution.
Either survive with it or call the police and make reports on a regular basis. In order to restructure a law you must have back up evidence. So continue to write Ms Terkel
WellstonesGhost
Make your calls to O'Reillys sponsors with "Bill O'Reilly sings" in the background!
O'Reilly's 2004 Sexual Harassment transcripts set to baroque oratio (word for word). SAD and Hilarious. ANDREA MACKRIS!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxc8ZY0plM4
OK to Post/Repost
MTFinch
I'm confused about her connection to the protests of the Alexa Foundation. I saw the story on O'Reilly, and the ambush was ridiculous.
WellstonesGhost
I think shouting Andrea MACKRIS is the best defense against O'Reilly? Ask how much O'Reilly settled his sexual harassment suit for with former Fox News Producer Andrea Mackris. Did he pay her exactly HOW MUCH between $2 and $20 million. And was her testimony on the court transcripts verbatim because she taped him?
Google "Bill O'Reilly Sings" for that sick testimony set to baroque oratio
Gkenyon
I'm so glad that UPS has made the decision not to advertise on O'Reilly. I've been saying for years that if the millions of people who have been offended by FOX, seen their loved-ones deceived by their right-wing, hate-filled propaganda, banded together and threatened to boycott the companies that advertised on that network, we could really make a difference.
jwgmac
Ms. Terkel, I loved how you ended your post, "maybe I was asking for it." Priceless! I have been following your story and wasn't surprised in the least bit with The O'Reilly Factor's tabloid tactics. This Jesse character is going to shove a mic in the wrong person's face someday and end up getting hurt. Wouldn't Bill-O love that!
eldamon
You have to forgive Bill O he's not good with women in general or telling the difference between a loofah and falafel for that matter. The sad part is Bill is a true idiot. Where Rush and his stick figure counterpart Ann Coulter are just extreme self centered capitalist trying to make money and Laura Ingram is just a demented, mean spirited bigot Bill actually believes he's working for the people. Of course he believes "the people" are all white male, conservative, Christians but nonetheless he's working for their greater good. All us MF ice tea drinkin', fork using Liberals are just confused and need to be converted.
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